2-Channel Audio

NOSValves NBS preamp in the house!!

Mike Lindsey — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:19:40 GMT

After a 6 month wait, I finally have the new NOSValves NBS preamp in the house!

There were a few delays due to some unforeseen issues, but the wait was finally worth it. I'm still waiting on Tom Keady to finish the cherry wood case, but thats just the finishing touch! I should have that by next weekend.

As for the sound I'm very satisfied with the preamp. I loved my JMA BlueBerry Xtreme, but this preamp is quieter, has a darker background and is much more detailed. There are no circuit boards in this preamp and its all point to point wiring by Craig. I will upload a few pictures that Craig sent me, and then will update with the finished product after receiving the wood case.

I decided to go all out with this preamp and ordered some pretty pricey tubes from Brent Jessie. The 12AT7's are a matched set of NOS Telefunken ECC801S's, and the 12AX7 is a NOS Telefunken red tip. The 6DJ8 slot is a 1960's NOS Siemans CCA. With the BBX preamp it was very difficult finding a quiet 6DJ8, but this tube is dead quiet. You pay a little extra with Brent but you always get what you pay for.

All in all I'm very happy with the sound, and after I get some tube break-in I know its going to sound even better. I want to thank Craig for giving me an opportunity to take my system to the next level, and to offering the Forum a world class preamp at a very affordable price point. We are very lucky to have someone on our Forum making affordable products, and providing fair priced repair services for a number of other vintage pieces. Thanks Craig, you have been a good friend over the last 12 years!

I would also like to thank my good friend Gary Powers (Garymd) for alerting me to this preamp. Gary and I have similar setups, and I have heard his system on a number of occasions, and it never ceases to amaze me. When he told me this preamp was the real deal, I knew I had to have one! I also want to thank Marty (Thebes) and Larry Clare (LarryC) for their outstanding reviews of the preamp. Their positive feedback was another factor in pulling the trigger on it. I know Craig is in the middle of making 8 or 9 more, and I'll be very anxious to read other reviews in the next month or so.

Mike

Chorus II - Sagging Passive Radiator??

polaris26 — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:41:25 GMT

Hello All,

A while back I bought a a pair of Chorus II's and sold my Chorus I's because I prefered the sound of the II's vs. the I's in my setup.

I noticed sometime afterward that one of the passive radiators in the Chorus II seems to be sagging or tilting somewhat upward. That is, the bottom of the cone is pressing out slightly and the top is more inward. By comparison, the other speaker's radiator is perfectly level, the way I would expect it to look. I don't hear any strange buzzes or rattles coming from it, but I am wondering if I should be concerned, and if so what can I do about it?

Thanks,

Dave

"Warm" sound

FuzzyDog — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:59:46 GMT

Is anyone else tired of hearing/reading the adjective "warm" used to describe the sound of a component or speaker? What the heck does "warm" sound like anyway?

how to increase gain on sub? to keep up with LaScalas? insert headphone amp in line?

tswei — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:43:07 GMT

Howdy all. Been loving my new-to-me vintage LaScalas, but would like to boost the sub 50Hz region with an M&K Sub I had lying around. Hooked it up to traditional line out of an integrated amp, but the Scalas are so effiecient, I cannot get sub to scale correctly as volume goes up. I've got the sub at max volume and the crossover set at 50 and it's barely audible. SO what does one do if mains are super efficient and subwoofer is less so?? Maybe boost the signal a bit? Would it help to but a simple pre-amp in the sub line? Or would that just max out at current level from the integrated. Could I insert a headphone amp??

Crossover Roadshow

AletheiaAudio — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:31:33 GMT

If you would like to try something different just for the cost shipping, please email me at dgwescott@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can get you on the list. After a few days, just ship to the next person on the list. You are not obligated to reveal your impressions here or anywhere else.

Please follow the link in my sig to my Facebook business page for details about the crossover.

Returning a Favor

AletheiaAudio — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:12:00 GMT

Back when I didn't know if I was going to live or die (I guess I still don't know!), my gruff friend came on here and asked you all to pitch in and help me. We were slowly going under - and I was even receiving disability pay through my job (60%). You guys contributed almost $2200, which I had originally planned to use for Dr. Bills, but ended up using to help catch up on the mortgage (we were almost 60 days behind), Debbie's van payment, and food. You guys have no idea how much that helped and meant to us. Debbie was completely blown away - I was emotionally overwhelmed with gratitude. Some people won't take charity, I used to feel funny about it myself - but it's a wonderful thing, especially when you're drowning. Now, everyone here knows by now that Craig's wife Becky is battling Cancer. Craig is self-employed and the benefits from Becky's place of employment aren't very helpful. I would really love to see this community step up and help them get turned around financially. Craig dumped what little spare money they had into bringing the NBS to market, but this initial handful of sales simply isn't going to be enough. I do wish people here were more vocal so we could actively help each other - this place has the potential of being a real community - let's start here! Paypal: craig@nosvalves.com

Altec Model 19 vs . Klipschorn

dkalsi — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:34:29 GMT

I'm just curious. I really dont see either of them go on sale much.

It's almost unfair to compare the two on Klipsch forums but I know people here are loyal to music and not necessarily the Klipsch name brand.

Please share your thoughts. I own a piar or Klipschorn but am always curious to know the the Altec Model 19 sounds.

Gear Party lastnight

Cornman — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:35:11 GMT

<:o)] Since getting the Jubilees about 8 months ago I have been looking forward to hearing the Cornwalls again. Finally got up enough energy & fortitude to wheel the cornie's back in to the living room. They set up fairly well with out blocking to much of the jubilees.On the right , you will see some of the new to me gear that will drive the Cornwalls. Consisting of-

Mc 275 mkvl

Juicy Music Blueberry Extreme pre

Yamaha M70 200w ss amp

Moondogs 2A3 mono amps

Jvc novico globe speakers

McMiRA — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:49:59 GMT

So last night I did some Craigslist dealing and traded my dust collecting hip-2s for a pair of ksf 10.5s. We did the hips a proper send off. A hi volume audition in the new owners drive way. I don't think the neighbors were impressed. I thought it was spectacular. After doing the dealing and loading up my new find the guy told me he had some more equipment and pointed to a pair of metal mesh globes. looked like a pair of hibachi grills but was actually speakers. Jvc novico gb-1e with stands. Anyone know anything about these.

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

tmassey — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:47:28 GMT

I'm not huge into the electronic/dance music scene but I just gave this CD a shot. Anyone else listened to this yet? It might be my new favorite CD to put my system through the paces. It's beautifully mastered, catchy, and just fun to listen too and apparently a tribute to the 70's and 80's for bonus points.

promedia 2.1 tweeter magnet fell off -- help please

littlejam — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:34:27 GMT

hello, this is my first post here

i tried to fix the tweeter magnet with jbweld like some other audio posts described

however i saw the magnet 'sucking' in some of the weld into the circular gap on the magnet

so i don't know if i ruined it all together

is there a way to order a replacement tweeter please?

i teach and do the tech stuff and we need to use these speakers for our high school graduation without a budget...

thanks in advance, j

Sweet Thrift Store Finds

Lonelobo — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:47:30 GMT

Stopped at a Thrift in Arlington, Tx today after work and scored some vinyl. Spent about a half hour rummaging a bin with no prices. This is usually either really good or really bad. Got to the counter, put the pile on the counter and held my breath as the clerk examined the first album. She turned it over and over looking for a price and then reached for the register. What would it be? How outrageous was she going to price them? I used my "special" powers to control her mind AND......................................................................................................................................................................$.55, that's right, 55 centavos, 55 pennies from heaven, 5 more than 4 bits.....except the box set.....it was 99cents.. The worst are in VG to Excellent, Many are Mint or Near Mint. Wahhhahaahahahhahhahahaaaaa!!!!!!!!!! Vinyl RULES!!!!!!! Life is GOOD!

Best of the lot was Columbia 6 eye of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding "Trombone for Two" in Excellent condition.

So here's the complete list:

"The flute at the Courts of Frederich the Great & Louis XV", Everest 3180

German pressing of "Cantata da Camera" , Rene Jacobs/Gustav Leonhardt, ABC Classics AB-67020/

Promotional Copy of "Diane Schuur & the Count Basie Orchestra" with Braille Title on Cover. Actual Braille on the Jacket GRD-9550

45rpm Angel Sonic Series of "Gershwin:Rhapsody in Blue, Ravel:La Valse" London Symphony, SS-45012

Nonesuch label, "Piano Rags by Scott Joplin", Joshus Rifkin, Piano, H-71248

4 Manhatten Transfer lps, not a huge fan, but these were mint

British Philips pressing of "Suppe Famous Overtures" Neville Marriner, 9500 399

RCA Living Stereo, "Malaguena" / Carlos Montoya, LPM/LSP-2380

CBS Masterworks, "Dvorak/Salvonic Dances/ Cleveland Orchestra

Capital Full Dimensional Stereo, "Artistry in Voices and Brass" Stan Kenton, ST 2132

A weird one too good to pass up, "Bluegrass Banjo, Music Minus One Banjo", Peter Wernick, Banjo. According to the notes, one channel is banjo only so you can listen to the other channel(the rest of the Bluegrass Band) and play the banjo parts yourself. Gotta love vinyl! MMO 180

Deutsche Grammophon Box set, Metropolitan Opera production of "Carmen w Geoges Bizet/Marily Horne/James McCracken, Leonard Bernstein conducting". 3lp set, 2709 043

"The Amazing Rhythm Aces" 9022-1123

Support your local Thrift Store and they will support you...

1969 K-Horns. What's your opinion?

wayfarer — Sun, 12 May 2013 17:52:59 GMT

Found these K-Horns about 2 hrs away: http://syracuse.craigslist.org/ele/3792973919.html

Does the age matter if they are in mint condition like that? I know original xovers may need to be refreshed, but are there differences between these and later models that would make the former less appealing. I am generally satisfied with my Forte II's and my room is small: 11.5’x14.5’, but....you know. Please chime in.

Thanks,

Serge

What happened to the RSX line?

Omega3002 — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:44:47 GMT

What happened to Klipsch's RSX line? I was just looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers for my brother that wouldn't be as big and boxy as standard MDF constructed enclosures and remembered the RSX line from years ago. It would have been the perfect solution. Why were they discontinued? Anything similar still being sold?

Frazier Users Group aka F.U.G.

tom b. 57 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:08:01 GMT

Is anyone familiar with these speakers? I know some of you have owned or still own Frazier speakers and I am wondering if these are worth investigating. I know little about these. They are a two way incorporating a horn and what I believe to be a 12" woofer. I can get these cheap and am waiting for the seller to call me with a time tomorrow when I can audition them. If the cabinets are in good shape and they sound alright I may just snatch them up. I am hoping to go there tomorrow armed with a little bit more info. than I have right now, which is next to nothing.

Please clue me in on these if you can.

Tom

what caps are used in the RF3 xover .specs plz.

quadklipsh — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:13:01 GMT

guys , its been a longtime since iv visited the klipsch forum.well ,as i opened up the tower from the crossover plate , i found that my RF3 had been rat bitten . It must have been years ago . As i never saw any rodents at my home. The previous owner had the rear port covered up by a metallic net to keep rats at bay. My crossover damage includes one capaitor degloving. I can see the metal sheets inside . Half the black plastic cover is absent exposing those sheets of tin foil . Now i dont know what components are used up there and id surely wana have this cap replaced ... I would also wana know what is an upgrade capacitor that really takes the sound to stardom. So tell me klipsch gurus what is the replacement of such caps. and what are its values.a friend of mine is in the electronics market and i can just inform him what to get as per your reply. Thanks. ill be grateful if i could improve my RF3 sound.

Best horn with Jubilee (clone) bottoms

kwingylee — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:24:19 GMT

Well, I want to give everyone an update on my efforts to get my Jubilee clone monsters to sound similar to my Harbeths.

My initial effort included using a highly damped ALTEC 511B with the 808-8B drivers biamp using EV/DX38. This was covered in another thread. Dr. Who did magic balancing them with the horns configured vertically (similar to some current JBL models). He did a fantastic job and the system had wonderful mids. But they did not image the way I am accustom to (especially depth) and the extreme highs and transient response were lacking somewhat.

I tried solving the HF problem by swapping the 808-8B with a TAD TD2001. The highs are better but I simply cannot get this combination to sound right. Way to much SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS and the imaging shortcomings persist.

Just for a point of reference, my other speakers are Harbeth M40s and Newform R645s: both image spectacularly.

I have the same concerns when I heard Klipsch manufactured Jubilees with the K402 horn. They created excellent lateral image but little depth.

Then someone from the Chicago horn club loan a set of JMLC350 LeCleac'h horns with JBL 2435HPL drivers attached, and suggested I use a simple 6dB slopes on the DX38. This kind of make sense because Bruce Edgar in one of the interviews he gave, suggested that 6dB/Oct filters sound the best with horns and that Paul Klipsch learned the same years earlier...

I figured its worth a try and set the crossover point at 920Hz.

I also like the fact that the horn is circular, can go down to 350Hz and much thought has gone into reducing reflection at the horn mouth.

The results far exceeded my expectations. My system now has depth in spades.....

I will be staying with this combo for a long long time. The person that loan me the horns and drivers, the check is in the mail...

This horn is at the moment for me, the best one to use with the Jubilee bottom.

I do ultimately want to go to a passive. I got the sound I wanted with all of the HF horn equalization removed. With a 6dB slope, all I would need is a 20uF capacitor.....maybe I can do down to one amplifier.

A rebuild BAT VK60 is driving the top.

Kwing

Nothing to do with Audio...I caught a Tarpon over 200 lbs. in Florida a couple weeks ago.

Cut-Throat — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 22:12:26 GMT

I managed to Luck into a once in a Lifetime Fish May 16th in the Florida Gulf. North of Homosassa. It was the Largest Tarpon my Guide has ever had to his Boat. It was well over 200 lbs. according to him. (His description on the Photo, is better than mine - He posted this on his Facebook Page). He fishes Tarpon 120 Days a year and has seen a lot of Tarpon. The Fish was hooked on a relatively tiny 1/0 Puglisi Peanut Butter Fly.

I fought the fish for 1 hour and 50 minutes. I was tired enough that I did not fish for 2 days after that and surrendered the Bow to my Fishing Buddy, who jumped 5 but did not manage to land any.

I thought I would let my Good Buddies at the Klipsch Forum my good fortune. Probably the Highlight of my entire fishing life. Am I going Back next year? Hell Yeah!

This forum always chops off the right side of the picture. To see the whole picture right click on it then Click View Image.

Steve Guttenberg on listening to music at home...............

tube fanatic — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:05:23 GMT

He raises some interesting points about our pursuits!!!

http://www.stereophile.com/content/are-you-listening-more-enjoying-it-less

RF-7 vs RF-7 II vs Yamaha NS-1000M

theppd — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:16:55 GMT

Hello everyone! I'm trying to decide of what could best my Yummies I currently have. See, 3 years ago I've sold my beloved RF-52s and bought NS-1000Ms which was a sidestep from the horn based speakers. I really loved them but wanted to try something new you know this hobby... But ever since then I was always comparing inside my head the current speakers to my previous Klipsches and I almost ready to pick them again. So right now I have a Klipsch buzz inside me that makes me want to buy the RF-7s since they should have more bass impact at minimum than Yumms, the soundstage should become more defined and so on. But the main thing is that here in my homeland I can by only the second gen of those new but maybe the first one is not that worse to the new one? Maybe they are almost the same in terms of sound? Then if they are almost the same, I can buy them for a 1500 used and delivered to russia where I currently live instead of throwing 5k. BTW, I find the old look of RF-7 is better. So, anybody had a comparison of these two? Maybe even these three? Thank you guys!

JBL Horn vs. k402

juniper8 — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:23:09 GMT

Going to hear the K402 for the for first time today, a friend is letting me swap out his H9500, 475nd combo for the k402 k69 in his M9500 set up....another forum member is planning on coming ,should be very interesting.. I am really curious to see if this will even be a fight.... I hope so!!!!

Audio / Video Challenge

Quiet_Hollow — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:23:16 GMT

Using the complete knowledge of all things audio and electrical, post an actual YouTube video of your system that sounds better than my 'ol clapped-out $700 budget Yamaha system shown in the video below.

Figure a couple weeks to let people get things filmed and uploaded, then how about put 'em to a poll here on the forum. Think it sounds good to you? Let the forum golden ears judge and determine who they think has captured the better sound.

I know a few people here are excellent with cameras, others with technical gear, and some simply have trophy systems. How about seeing if you can put it all together and make a decent sounding live video recording? Already got something uploaded? Post a link to it. Let's hear it.

A little bit about my video, this is what a powered subwoofer hot-mess sounds like. The bass is AFU because it's not set to the correct level and filter point, nor are the mains and sub in-phase in the x-over region. Should be pretty easy for someone to trump this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujEjxfvhjLs

The gear is listed in the video.

Let'em rip.

P.S. - Videos subject to critique by your peers who may not exercise reasonable tact or sugar-coat things by virtue of status. After the poll is closed, BS buttons will be available at the front door. Wear a jacket, bring your ears.

Can/Do IsolationTransformers Enhance the Sound?

thebes — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:40:36 GMT

Our good friend Maynard, (TubeFanatic) is lending me his knowledge to rebuild a 1946 tabletop radio. Says I have to buy a Isolation Transformer. He considers it a safety measure. Pah! Apparently, he's one of the few here, including myself, who doesn't enjoy my tales of being launched across the room on a wave of 500 volt jolt, as routinely happens when I attempt electronic anything.

So I find a Trip LIte Isolation gizmo locally, less than a year old, and half the price of new. For $80 bills I've got this very heavy metal box. The parts for the radio are on order and not here yet, so I think to myself, why not run my stereo through it.

To my mind things sound better. Now, a caveat, it could be the Monster power conditioner I've been using for all my power connections, or just simply the fact that I've moved some wires. Maybe caused by phases of the moon, run amok imagination, what have you.Or it could be that the iso transformer has something called a Faraday Cage and is simply locking up the bad electrons until they sober up.

In any event, given the fact that these things are widely available from a number of sources for under $200 smackers, a mere pittance in audiophile terms, why am I not hearing more about them?

Or is it my imagination. Which has been know to engage itself at random.

Teach a Newbie about midbase

aginhouse — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:24:25 GMT

Im running into an issue with midbase coming from my RF7ii's sounding very bloated an boomy. I know that this is a charcteristic of my room but Im wondering the best way to tackle the issue. The most pronounced "boom" tends to be heard from from high notes on a base or the low E of an acoustic guitar. It has become very distracting to listen to any music with a walking base line.

Question. I know I need to work on room acoustics but I have been putting this off until I furnish the room. That being said, which type of acoustic panel should I be looking for to help reduce this wave. Also, I have both towers sitting out about 1' from their respect corners(right angle corners). As a bandaid should I try pulling the speakers out of the corners temporarily?

Austin

Replacing an HK AVR-7300

MikeGinIllinois — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 15:49:29 GMT

Hi, everyone.

I've got a Harmon Kardon 7300 that I use to power 6 speakers. My two fronts are Cornwalls, my two surrounds are desktop Klipsch speakers, and my two rears are some Radio Shack desktops I always liked. I've had a lot of drama with this unit. It's a refurb that came from HK back when real people answered the phone in New York. <-: They gave it to me to replace a 7200 I bought on Ebay which needed repair and which I had repaired, unsuccesfully, twice.

The 7300 has given me a lot of joy. A few months ago it started kicking out an intermittent loud buzz. I sent it to Electronics Express, Inc., in West Chicago. They repaired it by replacing capacitors. I got it back and after a short while the buzz was back. I sent it back again and they replaced more capacitors. It's back to me now and it has a constant low buzzzz hummm at moderate listening levels. The repair gal said she knows that and it's the best they can do.

I believe her because I know these 7200's and 7300's are very hard to repair.

So, I'm posting here to ask a couple of questions.

1. Does anyone have a 7200 or 7300 they'd like to sell? I would expect that it would be in good working order since everyone out here tends towards being an audiophile and knows what's what.

2. Can anyone make a suggestion as to a replacement amp? If you know what an HK 7300 and Cornwalls sound like <-: then you know what I'm looking for. It's a very rich sound, not harsh at all, with great presence in all channels. It gets better as it gets louder. I don't want a harsh bright sound - I like that HK rich warm cozy blanket sound with all the detail from the highs, mids, and bass. <-:

3. If money were no object, what would you recommend?

My Cornwalls are pretty old but they are immortal. I have a Yamaha amp I can use which pretty good. It's clear and crisp. For the long term I'd like to either buy a reliable used unit or, maybe, in the future, a new one. I'm thinking a grand or so eventually. Maybe I can get a good 7200 or 7300 on Ebay for $300.00. They pop up some times. I like home theater but it's not my main thing. It's kinda hard to match up an amp with these Cornwalls, ya know? All suggestions welcome!

Thank you!

Mike Gallery

Crystal Lake, IL